Cornerstone University, the second seed in the bottom quarter of the bracket and Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) tournament champion, defeated Cardinal Stritch University (Wis.) 72-55 to advance to the second round of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship. The 18th annual tournament is being played at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

The Golden Eagles, playing in their sixth national tournament, drew the opening game of the tournament, tipping of at 8:30 a.m. against the seventh-seeded Stritch. Cardinal Stritch qualified for nationals by winning the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament. Cornerstone missed its first three shots as Stritch jumped to an early 9-0 lead. A sluggish first half seemed to not matter as Kara Overbeek and Brooke Carter both scored 10 points to give CU a 40-32 half time lead.

The second half started much the same. Robyn Veltkamp opened up the second half with a score, but the Golden Eagles would miss their next four shots until Jenna Plewes connected on a 10-footer at the 18 minute mark. Sam Flietstra scored a minute later to get back on track.

Cornerstone's defense and rebounding saved the game, allowing Cardinal Stritch to just 29.4% shooting from the field and holding the Wolves to just 21 points in the second half. Cornerstone shot 45% from the field, including 30.8% from the three point arc. CU out rebounded Stritch 51 to 33.

Carter finished with 18 points to lead all scorers. Overbeek ended aith 14 points and seven rebounds while Plewes recorded a double-double, her sixth of the season, with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Stritch was led by Michelle Stelloh with 16 points as the Wolves finish the season 20-11.

CU improves to 26-7 on the year and will face third-seeded Concordia University (Neb.) on Friday at 8:30 a.m. Concordia, an at-large selection to the tournament, defeated Taylor University (Ind.) 68-51 and sports a 25-8 overall record.


Box Score
NAIA Release     |     Cornerstone Release
Bracket